UN Suspects Syrian Rebels Used Nerve Gas

'Strong suspicions' but no proof yet, top investigator says

(Newser)
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Another game-changer? One of the United Nations' chief investigators says evidence is building that sarin gas was used in the Syrian conflict—but by rebels, not Bashar al-Assad's regime. "Our investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors, and field hospitals" and "there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas," said Carla Del Ponte, a member of a panel probing alleged Syrian war crimes, Reuters reports. "This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities," she adds.

Israeli airstrikes on targets inside Syria in recent days have killed at least 42 government soldiers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights tells the AP. Israel today emphasized that the strikes were not meant to aid rebels, Reuters adds, but rather to block weapons from Hezbollah.

The Israeli move renewed debate on whether the US should use airstrikes against the Assad regime, the New York Times reports. John McCain, who yesterday blasted President Obama's "red line" as being "written in disappearing ink," said the strikes show that Syria's air defense system may not be much of an obstacle.

Opposition activists say rebel forces shot down a military helicopter last night, killing eight government troops, the AP reports. The regime's air power has long been a chief target of rebels and activists say rebels also attacked and occupied parts of an air base in the north of the country yesterday, killing the base's commander and capturing a tank unit.

Syrian soldiers prepare an anti-aircraft gun.
(AP Photo, File)

A rebel fighter gestures for victory after firing a shoulder-fired missile during clashes in Aleppo.
(AP Photo/Narciso Contreras, File)

Smoke and fire fill the the skyline over Damascus, Syria, early yesterday after an Israeli air strike.
(AP Photo/Ugarit News via AP video)

This administration seems to be doing a face plant every step of the way with this situation Why again, did this president get a Peace Prize?

Wrongdirection

May 6, 2013 6:37 PM CDT

Being in the military I can say that chemical warfare is not what anyone wants to see, any place, any time! Since the UN is into investigating Chemical/Gas release in Syria, Could some offical suggest to them to get their asses over here to the U.S. and investigate the release of Chemical warfare against this population. Plastic bottles, Plastic Toys leach toxicins to whatever comes in contact with them if exposed to the sun, How long has your child been playing and touching plastic outdoor play ground equipment. School, Church, Day Cares, Give all the money you want to Cancer Research, They'll never keep up with all the cancer causing chemicals being released Daily. So, Someone get the U.N. to help us!! How about it?!?! Forget Syria, We have much bigger problems with our uncontrolled chemicals right here at home!!!!!!!!

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